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Topic Of Gossip
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 5225
Location: London
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 Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:42 am Post subject: Is America finally learning its lesson? |
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I thought this was an interesting news item coming out of the USA.
Apparently the US Army will in future be placing as much emphasis on "winning hearts and minds" as it does on winning wars by force.
| BBC News wrote: |
New approach for US army manual
The US army has drafted a new manual which for the first time puts an equal emphasis on winning hearts and minds as it does on defeating enemies by force.
The manual is expected to be published later this month.
The new guide is seen as a major development that draws on lessons of the wars being fought by US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Initial military successes there have given way to long struggles, with insurgents in both countries.
Winning the peace
The commander of the US Army's Combined Arms Centre, Gen William Caldwell, told the BBC that the US army had learned from its experiences since 2001 that stabilising countries and winning over locals required more than just military skills.
Knowledge of foreign languages and local cultures are also important, he said.
The US army might win every battle it fought, he said, without achieving its real goal - winning the peace.
Gen Caldwell described the manual as a blueprint to follow for the next 10 to 15 years, but other officers say it will take time before the advice from the manual is translated into real change on the ground.
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BBC News article with video news report...
I particularly found these lines encouraging...
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| "the US army had learned from its experiences since 2001 that stabilising countries and winning over locals required more than just military skills" |
and...
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| "Knowledge of foreign languages and local cultures are also important" |
Of course these are the kind of things other countries have been saying to the US for years, but the advice seemed to fall on deaf ears.
So, do you think this 'new approach' to warfare will actually change anything? Can a war machine that has always been geared towards 'annihilation of the enemy' suddenly start doing the touchy-feely stuff that is almost, dare I say it... liberal?  |
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myron myron
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 5627
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:21 am Post subject: |
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| No. |
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Topic Of Gossip
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 03 Mar 2005
Posts: 5225
Location: London
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Such brevity Myron... Not your usual style?   |
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myron myron
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 5627
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:35 am Post subject: |
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| Just being responsive. |
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Jane_
FemaleFirst Chatter (200+ Posts)
Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Posts: 379
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:44 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| Gen Caldwell described the manual as a blueprint to follow for the next 10 to 15 years |
my first thought when I read this was just how many countries are they planning on invading?  |
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myron myron
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 5627
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:47 am Post subject: |
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| Whatever it takes. |
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Jane_
FemaleFirst Chatter (200+ Posts)
Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Posts: 379
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:52 am Post subject: |
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Priming for an argument myron?  Because The Colonel isnt here yet and I just got up and Im hungry so can I have my breakfast first please?  |
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myron myron
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 5627
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:53 am Post subject: |
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| Nah, just teasing. |
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Jane_
FemaleFirst Chatter (200+ Posts)
Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Posts: 379
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:54 am Post subject: |
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| Ditto. |
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GayandProud
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 3836
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:42 am Post subject: |
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| Jane_ wrote: |
| Priming for an argument myron? Because The Colonel isnt here yet and I just got up and Im hungry so can I have my breakfast first please? |
Is there anything nicer than hot buttered toast |
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Lena
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 27825
Location: Kentucky , USA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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I see people almost every day who've done time overseas and there not bad at all. Soldiers are tools , the rea decesion making is done by the politicians in charge .
little georgey and his crew give the orders and set the tone . There wud have been no Abu Ghraib had they not been all obsessed with pretending there tough guys and brought in people to help from countrys where torture is normal like israel and Egypt .
Many here are pushing for war with Iran next but thank heavens even a boob like george jr. has backed of from that . Maybe in part since there's talk several generals and admirals have threatened to resign saying we don't have the trops to do it . |
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The Colonel
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 20 Aug 2007
Posts: 8383
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| Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| myron myron wrote: |
| Whatever it takes. |
Don't we just know it. |
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AussieAdam
FemaleFirst Grand Master (1000+ Posts)
Joined: 26 Sep 2006
Posts: 1386
Location: All over the freaking place
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| I just cant wait for Obama to be their first black president.......The forums will be on fire |
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myron myron
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 07 Sep 2006
Posts: 5627
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: |
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| AussieAdam wrote: |
I just cant wait for Obama to be their first black president.......The forums will be on fire
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So you're a racist then? |
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Lena
FemaleFirst Guru
Joined: 30 Apr 2004
Posts: 27825
Location: Kentucky , USA
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| Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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Ausie Adam is aggood guy so don't think he's a bigot
But if there is a Presidnet Obama it will be interesting to see how it affects the whole race issue and how the race issue affects him there in Washington DC. |
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